Maranatha football coach Jude Oliva resigns for family reasons

Maranatha football coach Jude Oliva resigned on Monday for family reasons following a bittersweet first and only season in charge.

The Minutemen were 8-3 during his short tenure and won an Olympic League title, but they fizzled out in the first round of the Northwest Division playoffs and lost to Duarte 27-17.

Oliva initially was hired to become offensive coordinator last spring under head coach Pete Karavedas, but Karavedas left to become head coach at Sunny Hills and Oliva was promoted to head coach.

Oliva resigned because his wife has a baby on the way.

“This was a difficult decision to make, but I have complete confidence that the leadership of Maranatha will find you a great new coach,” Oliva said in a statement to the school and players. “With a second child on the way, I would not be able to lead this program while effectively managing the personal aspects of my life.

“I love you guys and care about you a lot. You have something special here and I expect you to continue it.”

Oliva was a longtime offensive coordinator at San Gabriel before becoming head coach in 2010 and going 17-17 in three seasons. He led the Matadors to the 2011 Almont League title and a berth in the Mid-Valley Division championship game. Oliva was named 2011 Star-News Coach of the Year and left San Gabriel following the 2012 season.